The Rice Business Plan Competition is the world’s richest and largest student startup competition. With access to mentors, real-world experience and investment opportunities, the Rice Business Plan Competition helps student founders stay on target and realize their potential. The 2021 Competition will take place from April 6-9, 2021 and will be hosted virtually. Please join us on April 9th to watch the Live Finals and see who takes home the grand prize! 

The World's Largest and Richest Grad Student Startup Competition

Hosted and organized by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, which is Rice University’s internationally-recognized initiative devoted to the support of entrepreneurship, and Rice Business, the Rice Business Plan Competition offers an educational program mirroring real-world experience through this multi-day event.

Student founders pitch to investors, receive feedback and advance their startup. There is also significant time designated for interaction with our judges and prize sponsors—providing valuable access and experience with both early-stage and later-stage investors.

More than 440 student-led startups from around the world applied to compete in the 2021 Rice Business Plan Competition. For the first time in competition history, we’re expanding and showcasing 54 promising startups at #RBPC21.

We are eager to see the brilliant ideas student entrepreneurs are working on across the country and world. Startups will compete in five sector categories: Energy, Cleantech & Sustainability, Life Science and Healthcare Solutions, Hard Tech, Digital Enterprise, or Consumer Products and Services.

Startups will be competing for more than $1 million in prizes and will receive mentorship and guidance from investors and entrepreneurs.

Two events are open and available for the public to watch: The Elevator Pitch Competition on April 6th and the Live Finals on April 9th. Both will be streamed to the Rice Alliance YouTube or available on our website at rbpc.rice.edu/2021-competition